Steam generator



A. W. BRUCE STEAM GENERATOR July 30, 1935.

Filed May 2, 1934 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Lac- INVENTOR H/ redWB/wce fl fl July 30, 1935.

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3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR H/frea W. Bruce A'IT NEY July 30, 1935.

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wm vm Patented July 30, 1935 UNITED STATES {PATENT --o F1cE 3 Claims. (01. lea- 2 35) This invention'rela'tes to steam generators and particularly to :a steam {generator for use in a iocomotive.

An object of the invention is provide an improved steam generator characterized by compactness, sturdiness and simplicity of construction.

A further object is to provide a steam igenerator particularly adapted for use in spaces of limited dimensions and arranged to have a relatively large steam generating capacity in proportion to its size,

A further object is to provide a steam generator particularly adapted for use on locomotives of the high speed type, so constructed as to have parallel vertical sides throughout its length, spaced apart a limited :distance, permitting "the generator to extend downwardly between the :10- comotive driving wheels, while providing a rela- 20 tively great amount of surface for exposure to products of 1 combustion.

Other and further objects of and advantages achieved by this invention will be apparent from the following description "of .certain embodiment thereof.

' In the accompanying drawings, Figures 1 to 3 are views showing a locomotive embodying the present invention, certain parts being shown in dot and dash lines, Fig.1 being :aside View, Fig.2 a front view, and Fig. 3 a rear view; Figs. 4 to 8 are enlarged views of the steam generator shown in Figs. 1 'to 3, Fig. 4 being a section on the line IV-IV of Fig. 6, Fig. 5 a half front view, Fig. '6 a plan view, Fig. a rear view with the \end cover sheet removed, and Fig. -8 28, section on the line VIIIVIII of Fig. 4; 'Figs. 9 to 13 are :views of the front portion of a modified form of steam generator-embodying the present inventiom Fig. 9 being a fragmentary side view, Fig. 10 a front ie Fig. 11 a section on the .line X[ XI :of Fig. 9,;Fig. 12a fragmentary side view :of certain parts shown in Fig. 9, and Fig. 13' a section on the line X[IIXII-I of Fig. 12; and Fig. 14 is an enlarged fragmentarysectional view showing the connection :of one endof one of the :tubes .ofrthe combustion chamber section of the steam gener ator of Fig. 1 with its tube sheet.

Referring in detail to the drawings, :a steam generator 1 is shown in Figs. 1 to 3 embodiedin .a locomotive of the high speed :typeindicated generally by the numeral 2.

The locomotive 2 isxequipped with a \cab 3 at its front portion, a fuel 'tank 4 below the cab, a water tank-mat its rear portion, driving wheels 5 Kitwo at :each-o'f the opposite sides of the locomotive) and the various other usual parts (forming no part of this invention) as Well understood in locomotive practice, much :of which has been omitted from tth'e drawings and is not mentioned herein for the sake of brevity. The locomotive 2 is to that shown in Fig. '3 of the drawings of applicants copending application for United'gstates Letters Patent, Serial Number 618,125,, filed June 29, 1933' wherein the firebox isl'at the front portion -.of the locomotive and the :srnokebox is at the rear'rp'ortion thereon The steam generator 1, see1particular1y Figs. 4 to 8, comprises :a firebox section B at its front portion adapted for burning oil, .a combustion chamber section adjoining rand rearward of the firebox section and 1a smokebox section 8 adjoining andrearward of the combustion chamber section.

The firebox 'section' fi comprises an upper longitudinal cylindrical drum '9, a lower longitudinal cylindrical drum iii, longitudinalrows of substantially vertical tubes ill extending between the upper and lower drums, one row :at :each side of the section and :a .transverse'row of substant'ialiy vertical tubes 42 extending "between the drum-s9 and)!!! :at :the front end of the section. The :tubes M and 52 form the side .and'front walls respectively of the section and with the drums 9 'andltli define th'evinterior :of the section or the firebox 6a. The respective ends of the tubes 1'! and 4.2 are bell-mouthedintothe drums?! and 10 in the usual manner. The tubes I22 arev bent to provide. an opening 913 through the front wall formed :by these tubes.

.A cover sheet (notshown) is provided at the front end of the firebox section at the outside of the tubes 11-2 and extends between and is suitably secured to the drums 9 and H] by studs and weld- .ing .(not shown). L i

Inithe following description of the various parts of :the generator, where :one part is said to @be connected with :01" secured to another unless otherwisespe'cified it will be understood that the parts are connected by rivets, welding or both :according :to usual boiler practice.

An opening indicated by notrand dash lines at it: will be provided in the cover sheet. opposite the opening 1 3 land a suitable firebox'door will be provided for the opening at 15.

A flanged head t6 .is-provided on the front end of :eachof it-he drums .9 and 1 0. opening, I is formed in each of the heads l6 and a suitable removable cover plate .t-n'ot shown) is provided tor, each opening ,'Ilhese"co\ver plates may be of any; well-known construction such ,as for instance that hereinafter described for the opening in the head at the rear end of the lower drum of the combustion chamber section I.

The combustion chamber section I comprises an upper longitudinal drum I8, a lower longitudinal drum I9 and a plurality of vertical tubes 20. Each of the drums I8 and I9 is of semi-circular shape in cross section and comprises a longitudinal curved sheet 2| and a longitudinal fiat tube sheet 22, the sheet 22 being flanged at its opposite longitudinal margins as indicated at 23 and these flanges being secured to the longitudinal margins of the sheet 2|. The sheet 2| of the drum I8 is at the top of this drum and the sheet 2| of the drum I9 is at the bottom thereof, the sheets 2| thus providing the top and bottom walls of the section I.

The sheets 22 of the respective drums I8 and I9 are oppositely disposed to and verticallyspaced from each other and the tubes 20 extend verticallytherebetween and aresecured at their respective opposite ends in openings formed in the respective sheets 22 by the Prosser method, one of said connections being illustrated in Fig. 14. An annular abutment or shoulder 24 is thus provided at each .end portion ofeach tube 20 adjacent the outer surface of the respective sheet 22 in which it is connected around its respective tube opening in this. sheet and an annular lip or'bead 25 is formed on each end of each tube 2|! at the inner surface of the respective sheet 22 around the I respective tube opening.

The opposite longitudinal. margins of each of the .curved sheets 2| of the drums I8 and I9 are flanged outwardly as indicated at 26. Vertical longitudinal cover sheets 21 are provided, one at each of the opposite sides of the section I. The opposite longitudinal margins of each sheet 2? are flanged outwardly as indicated at 28 and the respective adjacent flanges of the sheets 2! and the sheets 2| are secured together. The sheets 2! thus provide side walls for the section I.

The space between the drums I8 and I9 and the sheets 21 comprises the combustion chamber Ia.

The front end of the combustion chamber is open to the rear end of the firebox 6a, and the rear end. of the combustion chamber is open tothe front end of the smokebox section 8. The vertical tubes 23 are disposed in spaced relation entirely across and entirely throughout thelength of the section I with only relatively small amounts of space between adjacent tubes leaving only sufficient space for the products of combustion to pass therethrough around these tubes from the firebox to the smokebox section and to permit the tubes of the superheater hereinafter described to extend into thecombustion chamber therebetween.

Flanged heads 29 and 30 are secured at the rear ends of the drums I8 and I9 respectively. A perforated dry pipe I8a is longitudinally disposed in the drum I8. An opening 3| is provided inthe head 29 for a connection between a superheater duct and the dry pipe |8a as hereinafter described and an opening 32 is provided in the head 30 to permit access to the drum I9. A flange seat 33 is formed on the head 30 around the opening 32 and a removable cover plate 34 is held on the seat 33 within the drum I9 by a clamp 35 which engages the outer surface of the head 30 and a stud 36 which connects the clamp and cover late. p A throat sheet 31 connects the rear end of the drum 9 to the front end of the drum la.-- The throat sheet is suitably shaped to engage and is connected with the inner margin around the rear end of the drum 9 and the inner margin around the front end of the drum I8 and provides an open circulation passageway between these drums. A flanged head 38 is provided at the front end of the drum I9 and serves to close both the front end of the drum I9 and the rear end of the drum I0. The flange of the head 38 is secured to the inner margin around the front end of the drum I9 and a joint ring 39 is secured to the inner margin around the rear end of the drum I 0 and to the front surface of the head 38.

Oppositely disposed pipes 40 are disposed one on each side of the generator. Each pipe 40 is connected at one end to its respective side of the drum III at the rear portion thereof and extends rearwardly and upwardly and is connected at its opposite end-to its respective side of the drum I8 nearthe central portion thereof. The pipes 40 provide circulation connections for the flow of fluid from the section I 'to the section 6. In some instances pipes 40 may prove unnecessary.

The curved sheet 2| of the drum I8 and the curved sheet 2I of the drum I9 are extended rearwardly beyond the section I and the extended portions provide upper and lower walls respectively for the smokebox section 8. Similarly the side sheets 21 are extended rearwardly beyond the section I and their extended portions provide side walls for the section 8. The adjacent longitudinal edges of the sheets 2| and 2! are secured together similarly as described with reference to section I. A rear cover plate 4| is bolted to angle irons lla, secured on the rear ends of the sheets 2| and 21.

The section 8 is disposed over the locomotive cylinder saddle and the respective lower and upper sheets 2| are provided with openings 42 and 43 respectively for steam ducts connected with the valve chests and for a chimney 43a, the usual parts being provided in their proper places in the-smokebox section as well understood in locomotive practice.

A superheater indicated generally at 4-4 is provided for the generator. The superheater cornprises a header 45 disposed in the upper portion of the smokebox section 3. The header A5 is connected tothe dry pipe I 8a by a duct 45 leading from the header to the opening 3| formed in the head 29, the dry pipe and duct being secured together and to the head 29 in the usual manner. The superheater also comprises a plurality of tube units 41 each of which units includes an outlet reach and a return reach connected by a return bend in the usual manner. The header 45 and tube unit connections therewith are of well-known constructions, such for instance as shown in United States Patent No. 1,833,314, issued to the applicant herein November 24, 1931. The units 41 extend downwardly and in a forwardly slanting direction into the combustion chamber Ia between longitudinal rows of the vertical tubes 20. The superheater is connected with the distribution valve chests in the usual manner.

A modified form of steam generator 48 embodying the present invention is illustrated in Figs. 9 to 13. The generator 48 comprises a firebox section 49 and a combustion chamber section 50; The section 53 is of the same construction, excepting at its front end, as the section I of the generator I.

The section 49 is designed for burning solid fuel and comprises an upper longitudinal cylindrical drum 5|, two lower longitudinal cylindrical drums 52, one at each side of the section, and a lower transverse cylindrical drum 53 at the front end of the section. The drum 53 connects the drums 52 and provides communication therebetween. The drums 52 and 53 form in effect a mud ring above which a fire grate (not shown) is disposed in the usual manner. Longitudinal rows of vertical tubes 54 are provided, one row on each side of the section 49, the tubes thereof extending between the respective drum 52 and the drum and providing a side wall for the section. A transverse row of vertical tubes 55 is provided at the front end of the section 49, the tubes 55 extending between the drum 53 and the drum 5| and forming a front wall for the section. The tubes 55 are bent so as to provide an opening 55 for feeding fuel to the firebox. The respective ends of the tubes 54 and 55 are connected in their respective drums in the usual manner. The front ends of the drums 52 are closed by suitable covers and an end cover sheet (not shown) is provided for the front end of the section 49 at the outside of the tubes 55.

The rear end of the upper drum 5! is connected with the front end of the upper drum 5! of the section 50 by a throat sheet 58 in the same manner as described with reference to the con nection between the drums 9 and it of the generator I. Each of the drums 52 is connected at its rear end portion with the lower drum 59 of the section 59 in the following manner. The rear end portion of each drum 52 is disposed at a side of the front end portion of the drum 59 and registering openings 69 and Si are formed in the respective adjacent side portions of the drums 52 and 59. Brackets 62 are provided adjacent the openings 50 and El tightly securing the drums 52 and 59 together, the openings providing communication therebetween. The drums 52 are closed at their rear ends by suitable covers (not shown).

The generator (either the generator I or the generator 48) is carried on the locomotive frame by suitable supports (not shown) and extends downwardly between the oppositely disposed drive wheels 5 as clearly shown in Fig. 2, its limited width permitting this arrangement. It will be apparent that the sides of the generator are parallel throughout the length thereof making possible a locomotive with a streamline contour. Further the generator is designed to provide a relatively great amount of surface exposed to the products of combustion so as to aiford a relatively great steam generating capacity, and the arrangement and proportions of the parts of the generator are such as to make for a compact, sturdy and simple construction of relatively small dimensions. These characteristics also make the generator particularly adaptable for use in a locomotive of the relatively light weight streamline type.

While certain embodiments of the invention have been hereinbefore described, it will be understood that many and various changes and modifications in form, arrangement of parts and details of construction thereof may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention and that all such changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the appended claims are contemplated as a part of this invention.

The invention claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A steam generator comprising a fire box section having a cylindrical upper drum, a cylindrical lower drum. and substantially vertical tubes extending between said drums and connected at their opposite ends therewith to per-,

mit circulation therebetween, said drums and tubes defining a firebox; a combustion chamber section adjoining said firebox section having an upper .drum, a lower drum, the two last mentioned drums being semi-circular in cross section and vertically spaced apart providing a combustion chamber therebetween, and a plurality of vertical tubes extending between said combustion chamber drums through said combustion chamber and connected at their opposite ends with said combustion chamber drums providing circulation passageways therebetween; and means comiecting the respective upper drums of said sections permitting circulation therebetween,

said firebox and said combustion chamber being open at their adjacent ends to permit the passage of products of combustion from said firebox to said combustion chamber.

2. A steam generator comprising a firebox section; a combustion chamber section adjoining at one of its ends said firebox section; and a smokebox section adjoining the opposite end of said combustion chamber section, said combustion chamber section comprising an upper drum, a lower drum, and a plurality of tubes extending between and connecting said drums, each of said drums being semi-circular in cross section and including a longitudinal curved sheet and an oppositely disposed longitudinal fiat sheet with said curved sheet and said flat sheet connected at their adjacent longitudinal edges, said curved sheets of said drums providing top and bottom walls respectively for said combustion chamber section and being extended beyond said combustion chamber section and providing top and bottom walls for said smokebox section.

3. A steam generator comprising a firebox section; a combustion chamber section adjoining at one of its ends said firebox section; and a smokebox section adjoining the opposite end of said combustion chamber section, said combustion chamber section comprising an upper drum, a lower drum and a plurality of tubes extending between and connecting said drums, each of said drums being semi-circular in cross section and including a longitudinal curved sheet and an oppositely disposed longitudinal flat sheet with said curved sheet and said fiat sheet connected at their adjacent longitudinal edges, said curved sheets of said drums providing top and bottom walls respectively for said combustion chamber section and being extended beyond said combustion chamber section and providing top and bottom walls for said smokebox section, and longitudinal side sheets, one disposed on each of the opposite sides of said combustion chamber section, said side sheets extending between said drums and providing side walls for said combustion chamber section and extending beyond said combustion chamber section and providing side walls for said smokebox section.

ALFRED W. BRUCE. 

